Holidaze Survival Guide: Staying Grounded Through the Madness

I mostly love the holidays. But it’s a bit of a mixed relationship.

I love the lights, the music, and the festivities.

I have a wonderful relationship with my family (it’s a very small family), so I truly enjoy spending time with them.

Now that I’m a father, I get to experience the magic of Christmas through my children’s eyes. That’s a joy like no other.

BUT—it’s not all sunshine and rainbows.

There’s the traveling. And with small children, this can feel like an epic, taxing adventure.

My habits—the ones that usually keep me grounded and sane—tend to go off the rails. Think: eating too much, sugar overload, lack of sleep, and little to no exercise.

Then there’s this general backdrop of melancholy I experience. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s a universal human thing. Something about aging, the cycle of life, and reflection. I’ve also had a couple of very close family members pass away during December in the past. Perhaps there’s a residual, yearly grief cycle I go through.

All this to say: there’s beauty, and there’s pain.

So, the big question is, how do I navigate the holidaze season without being completely derailed? How do I stay centered and start the next year on the right foot?

Here’s what I’ve been working on:

Remember the pitfalls: accept them and prepare for them.

It’s the same every year—so why does it always creep up and surprise me?

This year, I started mentally preparing around mid-November. That felt about right. We’ll see how it goes.

Make a holiday routine plan.

My usual morning routine and exercise have already gone off the rails. So, I have a plan for when I can’t stick to my full routine (like when I’m traveling or when life happens).

I do a micro version. It’s not the full meditation or workout—it’s about one-third—but it’s still something. And it helps feed me.

Embrace the season.

Am I going to be the Grinch or Santa? Honestly, it could go either way. I have that capacity.

If I’m not conscious, I can easily veer into Grinch territory. I get grumpy when finances are tight or when I don’t get enough sleep.

Over the holidays, I try to incorporate a daily reminder that:
a) This is a hard time of year for a lot of people (including me), so practicing compassion is key.
b) It’s also a season filled with opportunities to connect with others, so I try to keep my heart open.

Bottom line: I know it’s not going to be easy or perfect to stay centered during this time of year. And it doesn’t have to be.

But I’d still like to enjoy it. I’d still like to end this year and start the next one on a positive note.

It’s totally doable with a few simple steps. At least, I hope so!

Oh, and by the way, I wrote a song about the holidays called Holidaze. I’ll share more about it next week, but for now, let me know what you think of the song!

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Ari Welkom, known on stage as Avatari, is an LA-based alt-rock singer and actor. A Harvard graduate, married father of two, and former college athlete, he practices martial arts and champions anti-bullying, equal rights, and unity on his journey of recovery. Follow him on Instagram or Twitter (X)!

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